Body Piercing - Know The Risks

Body Piercing - Know The Risks

Traumatic tear of the earlobe

Having a part of your body pierced is a very important decision and can have negative health effects if done poorly.If you are considering having a piercing done read on and check out some of the facts for yourself.

Tongues, Lips and Cheeks

Although popular, these can be some of the more dangerous areas of the body to get pierced. Complications can include infections, speech impediments, breathing problems, increased tooth decay and broken teeth. Infections can result in blood poisoning, toxic shock syndrome, a blocked airway, as well as the risk of diseases like HIV and hepatitis.

Eyebrows, nose, ear Lobes and upper ears

Infections in the area around the eyes and nose can result in serious complications. Pierced ear lobes have been around for hundreds of years. Recently, the trend is towards piercing the upper ear through the cartilage that gives your ear its structure. Ear cartilage is sensitive and slow healing. Infections can cause a
‘cauliflower’ appearance of the ear. Piercing the side of your nose can also be very painful, and can cause difficulties if you have a cold or runny nose.

NippLes and naveLs
Nipple piercing in women can create scar tissue that may cause difficulties in breast-feeding in later life. The nipple is very sensitive and therefore can be very painful to pierce. Bellybuttons also should be pierced with care and watched constantly. The moist,  warm nature of the navel makes risk of infection a little higher.

Genitals
Piercing genitals is a decision that should not be taken lightly. An infection here is not only painful, but can be very serious. It is really important to try and get some advice from a doctor before considering piercing of the penis, labia, clitoris, foreskin or scrotum. Some States and Territories restrict access to these procedures to those aged 18 years and over.

HIV and other diseases
There are also significant risks of transmission of diseases like hepatitis B and C and HIV/AIDS in unsafe piercing studios and with piercing done by friends or relatives in un-sterile conditions. It is essential that any sign of infection is treated seriously and promptly.

After the procedure
The body piercing provider should provide you with information about how to care for your new piercing. Remember to make an immediate appointment with your doctor if there are any problems with an area that is pierced that might indicate infection or complications (such as bleeding, pain, weeping or swelling), or that you are worried about.

It is also important to remember that you can talk to your doctor before you decide to have any area of your body pierced.
You doctor will be able to: 

•   discuss the risks with you; 
•   warn about possible allergies, infections and abnormal “keloid” scarring; 
•   tell you how to make sure that the piercing  studio is safe; 
•   talk about how to care for your piercing; and 

  show you what to look for and what to do if something goes wrong.
Some doctors are happy to do piercing for their patients in a clean, sterile and safe environment. Remember your doctor can also give you another opportunity to discuss your decision further. Drugs and alcohol can impair decision making so do not get a piercing done while under the influence. It is best to give yourself some time to think through your decision to get a piercing.

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IRRITATION IN THE EYE

IRRITATION IN THE EYE

Irritation of the eye can result from presence of a foreign particle in the eye or due to straining the eye for long. If you are wearing contact lenses, take them out immediately. Do not itch or rub the eyes vigorously since that will only increase the itching and the irritation and lead to further complications. Press gently on the
inner corner of the eye towards the nose and at the same time draw the outer corner downwards; this will make the tears flow and wash the foreign substance towards the inner corner, from where it can be easily removed. If the irritation persists for long or if it is associated with lachrymation (watering from the eyes) and redness of the eyes, it is better to get it checked by an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.

SOME HOME REMEDIES
1. First of all wash the eye with cold water and then apply a cold compress over the eyes, made by wetting a small gauze-piece with cold water. This compress should be used as frequently as possible and for as long as possible.

2. Splash cool water in the eye till the time the irritation decreases and if it doesn't go, then a few drops of rosewater can be instilled in both the eyes.

3. One drop of ghee or honey in each eye is a good cleanser.

4. In cases of burning in the eye, first rinse it with cool water as described above and then rinse the eye with tea after allowing it to cool upto room temperature. The eyes should then be covered with cold, wet tea bags. The tannic acid in the tea bags will soothe and cool down the itch and the irritation. Wrap the teabags with paper towels to avoid any staining of the eyelid.

5. The eyes can also be covered with slices of raw potato (which help draw the toxins out of the eyes) until the pain reduces.

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BOWLING’S HEALTH BENEFITS

BOWLING’S HEALTH BENEFITS

Bowling is good exercise for all ages and works 134 different muscles. It does not take a lot of physical strength to become a good bowler. Bowling helps to improve hand to eye coordination. 

1. Bowling burns roughly 240 calories per hour of activity.

2. It strengthens and tones your arm, shoulder, chest, and leg muscles.

3. It improves heart and respiratory fitness.

4. It increases endurance while maintaining bone density.

5. It speeds up your metabolism.

6. An average bowler swings a bowling ball a full 360 degrees (200 degree back swing, 160 degree down swing).

7. An average bowler with a 16 pound ball swings 864 pounds full circle in a three game series (54 shots times 16 pounds per shot). That is well over one third of a ton.

8. An average bowler walks an average of 60 feet per turn, or about 6/10 of a mile in a three game series.

9. The social aspect of bowling helps improve your mental outlook.

10. Bowling is a lifetime sport. It is one of the few sports that allow you to compete at a high level at an older age.

11. Bowling provides an exercise optionfor those with physical limitations.

12. The millions of dollars of scholarships awarded annually to youth bowlers help them reach their educational goals, which keeps our nation as a whole healthy.

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Cracked Heels - Remedies

Cracked Heels - Remedies

The appearance of fissures (cracks in your skin) and general dryness around the heel of your foot. Dry skin is a primary culprit of cracked heels. The body produces no oil in the palms of hands and on the bottom of the feet. Therefore, the area remains dry most of the time. Individuals who do not use proper hygiene on their feet accumulate up to 30 times more skin in that area than on other parts of the body. Heels are also more prone to cracking with age. Cracks or deep wounds may facilitate the development of infections. Calluses are thickened skin that may also form on the toes. 

1. The onset of advanced years can unfortunately also bring with it this condition, or a higher chance of you developing it.

2. Shoes that do not fit properly.

3. Athlete’s foot can also be associated with this problem.

4. Other major dermatological conditions such as Psoriasis and eczema.

5. If you have diabetes you may well have a higher risk of having very dry skin.

6. A higher level of household heat that reduces humidity and dries out your skin.

7. This condition can also be linked to the wearing of open backed footwear that causes the outer part of the heel to rub and crack.

8. The over use of excessively hot water.

9. Being overweight.

The Main Symptoms are:

This condition is not serious as such, but when the skin breaks open and bleeds then it becomes a source of infection, which is of course not welcome.

Red and flaky patches of skin can be seen and felt.

Peeling and cracked skin.

Itchy skin.
Some suggested treatment programs

Use a pumice stone or other foot file to help reduce the thickness of the skin.

Follow this treatment with the use of a good foot cream in order to moisturise the area and keep it supple. Use frequently i.e. every day. 

1. Use the foot cream at night and wear bed socks to help the foot absorb as much of the cream as possible.

2. Check your shoes and footwear for tight spots that rub against your heel and try and eliminate these.

3. You can wear insoles and corrective devices to realign your feet and get them to work properly so as not to rub on your heels which can make this condition much worse.

4. Applying an oil based moisturizing cream twice daily is really important to get on top of this problem. After looking at the 'tomato' analogy above it should be obvious why it is important to avoid open backed shoes or thin soled shoes.

5. Never try to reduce the hard skin your self with a razor blade or a pair of scissors.

6. There is a risk of an infection developing and taking too much off.

7. Apply any shortening or hydrogenated vegetable oil after washing the feet clean on dry and cracked areas of the feet. After applying a thick coat of shortening on the feet, wear a pair of thick socks. Leaving this application overnight can surely provide positive results in few days.

8. Apply the pulp of a ripe banana on the dry or cracked area of the heel. Leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse it clean.

9. Soak the feet in lemon juice for about 10 minutes. Follow this therapy on a weekly basis until one finds a change.

10. A daily regime of cleaning and moisturizing is a good cure for dry or cracked heels.

11. At the end of the day soak the feet in warm soapy water for about 15 minutes. Rinse feet and pat dry. Make a healing mixture comprising of: one teaspoon Vaseline and the juice of one lemon. Rub this mixture onto the cracked heels and other required areas of the feet till it is thoroughly absorbed. This can be done daily until visible results are obtained.

12. A regular application of a mixture of glycerin and rosewater is known to soothe and cure cracked heels.

13. Another result oriented solution is to melt paraffin wax and mix it well with little mustard oil. Apply on the dry or cracked area of the heels. Rinse it off in the morning. A continuous application for 10 to15 days can achieve desirable results. 

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HEALTH BENEFITS OF JUJUBE FRUIT

HEALTH BENEFITS OF JUJUBE FRUIT

1. Jujube contains antioxidant with rejuvenating properties to help improve the immune system and overall health.

2. Jujube contains high amount of minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, manganese and calcium.

3. Jujube contains vitamin C, riboflavin and thiamine. Jujube fruit has 20 times the amount of vitamin C as citrus fruits.

4. The vitamin and mineral content of the jujube helps to soothe the stomach, ease sore throats, suppress the appetite, support cardiovascular health, enhance metabolism and cleanse the blood vessels.

5. The body requires 24 amino acids to function, and the jujube fruit contains 18 of the 24. Amino acids help with the maintenance and formation of the bones, skin, muscle, bloods, hormones, neurotransmitters and enzymes in the body. They are also essential to the building of more that 50,000 proteins made by the human body. Amino acids assist the body in healing wounds and diseases.

6. The protective effects of jujube fruit on the liver help to eliminate oxidative stress in the liver. Oxidative stress is when free radicals form in the body and interact with cells. Free radicals can lead to many diseases.

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Taking care of your feet

Taking care of your feet

Foot care is important as foot problems are a common complication of diabetes. Your feet can be affected in two ways. Your blood supply may be affected, resulting in slower healing, and you may also lose some feeling in your feet due to nerve damage.

1. Take care of your diabetes.
 Work with your health care team to keep your blood sugar within a good range.

2. Check your feet every day.
Look at your bare feet every day for cuts, blisters, red spots, and swelling.

Use a mirror to check the bottoms of your feet or ask a family member for help if you have trouble seeing.

3. Wash your feet every day.
Wash your feet in warm, not hot, water every day.

Dry your feet well. Be sure to dry between the toes.

4. Keep the skin soft and smooth.
Rub a thin coat of skin lotion over the tops and bottoms of your feet, but not between your toes.

5. Smooth corns and calluses gently.
If your feet are at low risk for problems, use a pumice stone to smooth corns and calluses.
Don’t use over-the-counter products or sharp objects on corns or calluses .

6 . If you can see and reach your toenails, trim them each week or when needed.
Trim your toenails straight across and file the edges with an emery board or nail file.

7. Wear shoes and socks at all times.
Never walk bare foot .

Wear comfortable shoes that fit well and protect your feet.

Feel inside your shoes before putting them on each time to make sure the lining is smooth and there are no objects inside.

8.  Protect you feet from hot and cold.
Wear shoes at the beach or on hot pave m e n t .

Wear socks at night if your feet get cold.

Don’t test bath water with your feet.

Don’t use hot water bottles or heating pads.

9. Keep the blood flowing to your feet.
Put your feet up when sitting.

Wiggle your toes and move your ankles up and down for 5 minutes, 2 or 3 times a day.

Don’t cross your legs for long periods of time.

Don’t smoke.

10.  Be more active.
Plan your physical activity program with your doctor.

11.  Check with your doctor.
Have your doctor check your bare feet and find out whether you are likely to have serious foot problems. Remember that you may not feel the pain of an injury.

Call your doctor right away if you find a cut, sore, blister, or bruise on your foot that does not begin to heal after one day.

Follow your doctor’s advice about foot care.

12. Get started now.
Begin taking good care of your feet today.

Set a time every day to check your feet.

Tips for daily foot care

*Inspect your feet daily. Carefully look at your feet. Check between your toes and if necessary use a mirror to check underneath your feet .

*Look for swelling, redness, heat that may be a sign of infection .

*Wash feet every day and dry well between the toes .

*Use methylated spirits if there is a lot of moisture between the toes .

*Moisturise dry skin, especially cracked heals (eg Sorbolene cream) but not between the toes .

*Calluses may be treated with careful use of a pumice stone .

Do not use blades or sharp instruments.

Take care of your feet for a lifetime.

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Medicinal uses of Wood Apple

Medicinal uses of Wood Apple

The wood apple is the only species of its genus, in the family ‘Rutaceae’. It is native to the dry plains of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, where it grows in the wild and is also cultivated along roads, the edges of fields and occasionally in orchards. It is also cultivated throughout South east Asia, particularly in Malaysia.

In India, the fruit was traditionally a ‘poor man’s food’ until processing techniques were developed in the mid 1950s. Besides the name ‘wood apple,’ it is also referred to as elephant apple, monkey fruit, curd apple, Keth bel, golden apple, stone apple, etc.

Medicinal uses
1. The fruit is extensively used in India as a liver tonic and also to treat certain cardiac problems.

2. The half-ripe fruit is perhaps the most effective remedy for dysentry.Totreat diarrhea or piles, the mashed pulp of the fruit is used without the seeds.

3. An infusion of wood apple leaves is an effective remedy for peptic ulcers. Wood apple leaves are rich in tannin, which reduces inflammation and help in the healing of ulcers.

4. It is also useful in preventing cancer of the breast and uterus and helps treat infertility caused by insufficiency of the progesterone hormone.

5. The flesh of the mature fruit can also be used to treat stomach upsets among children.

6. The bark of the tree is beneficial for biliousness. It can be taken both in the pulverised or decoction form. The juice of the leaves can also be massaged on the skin rashes caused by biliousness.

7. The root of the bael tree is used as a domestic remedy to check several kinds of ear problems.

8. In Ayurveda, all parts of the wood apple plant are used to cure snake bites.

9. 100 gm of the fruit’s pulp provides 140 calories and is therefore a good energy booster.

10. The wood apple is used to treat kidney ailments like stones.

11. The leaves of the wood apple are used to prevent and treat cold and other respiratory disorders. The fruit is also effective in relieving sore throats and chronic coughs.

12. The wood apple contains carotene, which is beneficial for the eye.

13. An extract of the bark of the tree is used to prevent sun burn.

Other uses
1. The fruit’s shell is fashioned into snuffboxes and other small containers.

2. Interestingly, in addition to its edible and medicinal properties, the gum from the trunk and branches is used as glue. The exudation is profuse after the rainy season.

3. The gum, mixed with lime, is used to waterproof wells and walls. It also protects oil paintings when added as a coat onto the canvas.

4. The fruit rind yields oil that is popular as a fragrance for hair; it also produces a dye used to colour silks and calico.

5. The wood is yellow gray or whitish, hard, heavy, durable, and hence used in construction, patternmaking, agricultural implements, rollers for mills, carving, rulers and other products. It also serves as fuel.

6. The wood apple’s pulp has a soap-like action, which resulted in it being used as a household cleaner for hundreds of years.

7. The sticky layer around the unripe seeds is a household glue that also finds use in jewellery making.

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